Broadstairs CC’s 1st XI 2018 season begins on 5th May with a home clash against local rivals Chestfield CC. This fixture comes hot on the heels off the success of Broadstairs CC in the indoor leagues where they came runners-up in the ECB Indoor National Club Championship, reaching the final at Lord’s for the second season in a row. The team are keen to get the outdoor season off to a flying start as they seek to go one better than last year when they narrowly missed out on promotion to Division 1. There are plenty of grounds for optimism. Having now experienced a season in Division 2, the side have good idea of what to expect and have every confidence that on their day, they have the beating of every other team in the division. The club’s investment in young talent continues to pay off and with over half the 1st XI under the age of 25, captain Chris Kidd will be expecting even more from these young players in the coming season. Despite the loss of batsman Isaac Dilkes to Canterbury CC, the batting line-up continues to be strong and the return of the talented Seth Simmons, who re-joins the team after an absence of 13 years will provide some welcome strength and experience to the middle order. Simmons also provides additional spin options for the bowling attack, to work alongside Kidd, Matthew Frewin and Indian overseas Swaroop Dasari who returns to the club for a 4th successive season.
The 2nd XI begin their 2018 campaign in Division 2, 2nd XI with an away fixture against Sidcup. Skipper Andy Marshall is looking forward to the opportunity to blend the well-honed skills of the core of established players with a new crop of talented teenagers who are emerging from the highly successful junior squads and who will provide additional options both in terms of batting and bowling. These youngsters, many of whom are now under-15s and in their final year of junior cricket, will be hoping to repeat their feat of 2016 when they were crowned ECB U13 National Club Champions. The junior section continues to thrive at the younger levels too with talented and enthusiastic players at U13 and U11 levels along with a lively and well-supported All Stars programme for 5-8 year-olds which runs every Saturday morning at the club during the season.
The progress of the team on the pitch is mirrored by developments off the pitch with plans for new sightscreens and a redeveloped practice net area. In addition, the club continues to enjoy a wide range of corporate sponsors for shirts, ground advertising and promotion on an upgraded website. The club would welcome further partnerships with local businesses and anyone interested in getting involved, or just keen to watch the team in action are invited to come along to the Park Avenue ground any Saturday afternoon during the season.